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DirecTV

DirecTV • Billing Problems • Installation • Maintenance • Rebates • Sales Practices • Billing for "Adult" Shows • About those "Adult" Bills ... --- News • Class Action Says DirecTV Forces Consumers to Pay for Fraudulent Accounts • Washington Sues DIRECTV For 'Unconscionable' Sales Practices • DirecTV Takes Disputed Fees Out of Customer Accounts, Suit Charges • Major League Baseball, Cable Operators Reach Agreement • Major League Baseball Extends TV Deadline • Senators Object to DirecTV Deal that Shuts Out Baseball Fans • DirecTV Settles Do Not Call Charges • DirecTV Telemarketers To Pay $75,000 Penalty • Fired DirecTV Contractors Say They Refused To Lie To Customers • Outbreak of DirecTV Porn Charges Hits Philadelphia • DirecTV Fined $5 Million for Do-Not-Call Violations • DirecTV Will Reform Ad Practices, Pay Millions in Refunds • DirecTV Abandons Satellite Internet Plans

It all seems so easy. You go to the mall and emerge with a highly-discounted DirecTV or PrimeStar satellite kit under your arm. It only costs a few hundred dollars and you get great reception. Cool. There�s only one cloud: Chances are you signed a binding multi-year agreement that basically commits you to pay off the rest of the cost of the satellite gear and installation. (That few hundred you paid in the store is just a deposit). If you cancel the service, you still have to continuing paying for the equipment. It�s all in the contract � and it�s a lot better to read it now than later.

Mrs of Clearwater, FL February 22, 2010

Around November of 2008 I was approached by a salesman from Verizons, with whom I had for some time, a telephone and Internet package. My television was carried by Brighthouse. This caller explained that Verizons had a package I might like consisting of television in addition to telephone and Internet, and that it could be obtained at a lower cost than Brighthouse, who about that time had raised their prices.

At that time I was 79 years old disabled with a spinal cord problem, diabetic and had been and still was suffering from numerous medical problems. I have a only a social security income aided occasionally by the odd teaching job. I was inundated with Medical co-pays. Therefore I took this offer as even the tiniest savings was of importance to me. Being unable to drive or get out much, television was the one luxury I have. I believed every word the representative told me.

Direct TV was the company who installed the service, and I paid Verizons regularly each month by check for the package which included all three services. Due to my age and disability I never carry balances on credit cards, and only use them rarely and in an emergency, as there is no way I can guarantee a regular payment ahead I stay away from charging bills.

In late July A friend who came to stay with me to help me following hospitalization, ran into problems with Verizons regarding a wireless telephone which she had installed for her business whilst she was here. Answering some calls for her, I found that Verizons were inefficient and very rude, so when she returned to California I decided to cancel my package with them and return to Brighthouse who by now was offing a similar triple package which included telephone.

There were no monies owing to Verizons as my monthly payment had been made in full, and Verizons accepted the cancellation, I offered to return their equipment but they said I had already purchased it so there was nothing to return, but suggested I called Direct TV myself to arrange for them to to pick up my their equipment. Their (Direct TV) representative other end of the telephone said, that would be fine, however there was a charge for early cancellation.

I said "how could that be, as I had purchased a package from Verizons and was paying Verizons for it, and that Verizons had not provided me with any information either verbally or by letter that there would be such a charge, I had not had this charge when canceling bright house. He said that Direct TV was a separate service not connected to versions, and that their rules were that I had to keep the service for one year or more before I could cancel it, or pay a penalty. I told him I could not possibly do that and had I been informed of that situation would not have taken any of the Services in the package, as there was no guarantee due to my age and very low income that I would have let myself in for such a future commitment. He said "not to worry, just put the service on vacation for the next six months or more , I Had had it for approximately 6 months that would add up to the year and I would probably only have to pay a nominal sum for a balance to the end of the month.

I was appalled to find that this was not a whole package at all. and even though Verizons did not have a penalty, Direct TV did, but I believed what their representative told me and put the service on vacation for six months, I would not be paying monthly payments. I continued to be sick, was in a couple of accidents and hospitalised, and was indeed sick until January of this year. Hardly ever watched the home TV was in a Nursing Home, or staying with my son.

In late December 2009 or early in January 2010 called Direct TV, and asked them to pick up their equipment. They billed me I think it was 197 I called them wondering what that charge was for thinking it was something to do with sending back the equipment. It was then I was told the I owed 399 for early cancellation. I told them what have just related to you, but they said, and very rudely that I had to pay, otherwise I would have their collectors hounding me day and night. I explained that I had taken a package from versions, and there was no mention of any such circumstances of any kind made to me. He said I still have to pay, so I ended the conversation.

I heard no more from Direct TV and I thought that they had made a mistake. However when my credit card bill came in I found that they had charged my card without authorization from me, and without my knowledge. they had obtained my credit card number from somewhere - I had not given it to them, as I aways pay for utilities and services by check, inlcuding Verizon.

I called the credit card company and they took this up and disputed the bill, I received aletter from Direct TV saying that the credit card charge had been reversed and that I must immediately pay the full sum. I called my credit card, and they told me verbally from their dispute office that the matter was still under dispute. I wrote and called Direct TV saying that no information had been provided me about such a clause, that as far as Verizon had made me aware all I had to do was to pay the monthly bill which I did and was totally ignorant of any penalty, until, by cancelling the verizons package, I ran into this.

To add insult to injury, when I returned the equipment, Direct TV sent me three boxes huge ones with one pad inside each and a shipping label, one for each small tv box. It was quite a job for me to handle the boxes, and also when I placed one little control box into the big cardboard box, even with the pad and small amount of packing which was included, it was not nearly enough to prevent the equipment jumping around during transit.

I called Direct TV and suggested that if all three of the little boxes were placed in one large box together with the three pads and packing it would travel more safely, and also would be easier for me to handle. My right leg and foot are partially paralysed, and I keep losing my balance. Lifting and moving around three huge boxes, was not be easy for me. The reperesentative I talked to said, "yes of course you can put them in one box" I did so, and called UPS who collected them. I had put one label on the box, the Direct TV representative did not tell me to put all three labels on the outside of the box, so I put two inside the box with the equipment.

UPS emailed me and said they could not deliver the box, I guess I must have put the wrong one of the three labels on the box. I called Direct TV and told them , and they said I would have to go to the UPS Office, collect the box, take it back and repack the three lttle boxes into the large ones. three more labels would be sent, and UPS would pick it up. I said that I could not get to the UPS office to take back the original box. They put the phone down. I waited Until about the third week in January, figuring that they arranged for UPS to resend the box from their Ofice. Then I received a letter threatening a charge for the boxes as I had not returned them. I called again, and I heard no more except a demand for the early cancellaton charge. I figure that they by now have had the good sense to have UPS return the box from the UPS Office, but after this awful experience with them I have no surety of this.

I am mentioning this as then you can see how each representative who answers the phone tells a different story. ...you will find three websites, telling about the hundreds of people who have been tricked in various ways by Direct TV and also of a class action suit against them in Arizona, many ot the people have listed numerous complaints against this company including very similar experiences as I have had. If one looks at the Direct TV web page, it is full of alluring offfers, and no where amongst these offers is listed the early cancellaton charge. It is mentioned on the Website, but these papers are not presented to a customer it seems, and certaily not in the package which Verizons induces people to take,

I do not have the money to pay this or fight agaist it. I am having sleepless nights worrying about it, and am not in the best of health, I also have more medical problems ahead of me. I simply do not know what I can do do as my Social security is only 730 per month, only half comes from the USA the rest is paid in pounds from England incurring a fluctuating exchange rate. I still do not know what is going to happen. I am hoping the TV studio will investigate. after reading some of the letters o your site I am now also worried that they will come after me for the equipment, even though I have a receipt from UPS for the first pick up.

Tanase of Phoenix, AZ February 22, 2010

This company promises you a monthly payment for their services. It usualy takes a month or two before you see that they charge you more on the bill. They will tell you we will give you credit for this credit for that to make the confusion going so that it is hard for you to keep an accurate track of the bill.

When I decided to cancel I was sent to the customer retention department and I was told the bill will will be 41.99 for the next 12 months.Three months later the amount was increased again. When I called again to ask how could they lie to me again they told me that this credit they were giving me expired and so on an so on.This company manipulates people to keep them going with their services they are saying one thing and doing another. I decided I will take the 20 dollars monthly penalty when I coudn't deal with their lies and deceiving anymore.

What they did they charged my bank account 340 dollars immediately without any authorization on my side or without sending me a final bill. When I asked Jessie the supervizor she knew her script she said they can charge me whatever they think I owe right away.It messed up my account balance but they didn't care. BUYER PLEASE BEWARE BEFORE YOU CHOOSE THIS COMPANY FOR CABLE. they will manipulate and deceive you and you will pay the price.

Not only they charged me all this penalty at once but they didn't even give me a chance to look at the bill and check if the charges are accurate and give me any time to pay this bill. I will contact a consumer atorney and I want to sue because the reason I decided to cancel early was because of the lying and the fake promises of this company.

If you join them you will never be able to know eactly how much you owe and when you will be told one amount I promise you that amount will be charged for a month or two and then they will increase it hoping that you will pay and you won't keep track of it. Later they will charge you for early cancelation when the real reason you won't to get rid of the service is because they are dishonest manipulative and deceiving.Buyer beware! Avoid the Directv scam!

My balance is -200 it is Monday I have until Friday until I get paid they charged my account two days after the cancelation they didn't even send me an accurate bill so that I have any time to manage my balances and pay.I am left with no money in the account for a week and the only option is to cancel this transaction with my bank as unauthorized and see if this works.

sandra of Canby, OR February 21, 2010

there is no physical address that i can find; i have requested repeatedly that i ordered HD tv, they tell me i didn't, but i am still charged for the HD package, now that it is 3 months that i have had my bill paid and directly withdrawn out of my checking account i am sopposed to get a 100.00 visa gift card. i have not yet recieved it, i have been told by all the sales reps that i would get it in the mail 6 to 8 weeks after installing the Directv but i have not recieved it. now the reps tell me it was probably mailed to someone else and they would have to find out who cashed it and it would be at least 2 more weeks, in the meantime they have disconnected my Directv from service, as of Feb 20 2010.

i do not know why, now they say it is the equipment and it is faulty, i have many movies i have recorded on my dvr, and they will take it away, i paid for that tv and now they will take my dvr and the recorded movies and programs that i have been keeping, how can they do that, just because they think they own the equipment. is there no justice for tv viewers? how can we stop this blatant control over our entertainment and news or whatever freedom we have with the tv, sopposed to be free airways. i have paid my bill as stated in the contract, but on Thursday 18th, 2010, i did downsize my tv to the programming i need, and i cut off all my movie channels except for "showtime" i think that is why they have cut off my service. I do not know what to do, i am an elderly person, i am on disability and i cannot afford to go out to movies or anything else, this is my only form of entertainment i have. the only source of connection i have to the community i live in. i am pretty much home-bound; i do not know where to turn. Please help Me, and others like me.

Pat of Phoenix, AZ February 21, 2010

I signed up for DirecTV in late November 2009 - I was referred by a friend of mine. I called the number, gave the lady rep my friends Account number, phone number tied to his account, his address and his full name. After 30-45 minutes on the phone, the lady rep told me everything was good to go including the Rebate and referral fee. Later on, when the referral fee didn't show on my bill, I called. I was told that it was being processed and would show on next bill. I called again on Feb 3, 2010 and was told that me & my friend were not going to receive the referral fee because I didn't call the right number. This was false. The Rep said he would talk to a Supervisor and get this straightened out. I called back tonight (twice), 2-20-10 and was told that me and my friend were declined the referral fee (rep also said letter was sent out stating this, which it was). Both times I finally got to talk to a Supervisor who after hearing my issue, put me on hold and let me hang on the air forever. The second time the Supervisor hung up on me.

I will never, ever refer anyone to this malarky. They (DirecTV) even have a message while you are on hold talking about their honesty and integrity (yeah right)! What hypocrites. I find DirecTV to be unprofessional, rude and basically dishonest in their business endeavors. This is a sham and a scam!!

Leslie of Columbia, SC February 20, 2010

February 28, 2008 I entered into an agreement with DIRECTV to lease a standard receiver (Dish was already provided by apartment complex) and acquire their 'Choice' plan. When I signed up I specificaly asked them if I could take the service with me. I contract my serivces and am rarely in the same location for very long. They said yes. When I moved in December, 2008, I called, told them I was moving, that where I was moving I could not have DIRECTV service and what should I do with my receiver adn account. They said to keep the receiver with me and my account would be put on hold until I picked it up again. I asked how long this would be and they CLAIMED indefinitely. I recently found out that they have placed a 305 claim on my credit reports. What happened to my agreement?

Marty of Orange, CA February 20, 2010

i contacted DirecTV on 2/10/10 to get a quote on their TV service as I was trying to see if there was something cheaper than what I was currently paying with my current carrier. I spoke with an agent at length about what I was looking for and what I currently had. I stated that I currently paid 66/month with my current carrier but looking into HD service as well.

They stated that their HD service was free and that they could also give me 1 DVR receiver, 1 HD receiver and 2 regular receivers for the price of 56.99/month for 1yr if i agreed to a 24month contract. I asked them, so my monthly bill will be 56.99/mo and the agent stated yes. I agreed to the quote and set up a date for installation. That night I discussed the quote/offer with my wife and we decided that we needed to DVR's and that we should stay with our current carrier because we currently had 2 DVR's.

I then called DirecTV back and stated that I would like to cancel the installation as I had decided that I was going to stay with my current carrier because I really needed 2 DVR's. The agent on the phone stated that I could obtain a 2nd DVR if I paid 100 up front for the additional DVR. I asked them if i were to do that what would be my monthly bill? Would it still be 56.99/month for 1 yr. The agent on the phone said yes your monthly bill would still be 56.99. I then asked now after a yr what would my bill be she quoted me 86.99.

I then again asked so what is going to be my montly bill? The agent stated it is going to be 56.99/per month. I agreed to continue with their service agreeing to pay 56.99/month. When they arrived to install the boxes, I asked them so what is my bill going to be, the techs said its whatever was agreed upon at the initial call.

On 2/19/10 I received my bill of 68.31. I immediatly caled DirecTv and told them there was some kind of error on my billing and that I was quoted 56.99 and my bill is showing I owe 68.31. The agent stated that I was being charged an additional 15 dollars for the receivers and I also noticed I was charged 10/month for HD service that was originally quoted as free. DirecTv stated that they would not change the bill nor would they let me out of the contract without pay a huge disconnection fee.

DirecTV misrepresented their services and their price. They need to be held accountable for the misrepresentation that they give to future customer. We are now stuck in a 2 yr contract, paying more than we agreed to originally or forced to pay 460 to cancel

Gail of Warrenton, VA February 20, 2010

I called directtv to lower my package. The girl told me I had an outdated package and she could lower my payment by 1.00 but it would add Starz & Showtime package. I didn't get all the starz channels and Showtime. When I called in to ask what was up- I was told she lower my package by 1.00 but added a 7.00 charge for the DVR that was included in my other package. They will not give me any phone numbers of anyone to call. They have promised someone will call me in 72 hrs. but Robert said there wasn't anything they could do.

Edward of Jackson, CA February 19, 2010

I canceled my Direct TV account that I had for at least ten years. I was out of contract with them. My wife had bundled our AT & bill with Direct TV and specifically asked that by bundling this account there would not be an extension of contract and everything would be the same. (AT &T owns Direct TV). The lady said specifically no.

When we went to cancel our contract with Direct TV two months later they stated because we had bundled we automatically had a one extension on our contract. We contested it with the manager. They said no we would have to pay. I sent Direct TV a letter as per the back of their bill's directions when contesting a bill and told them I wanted a copy of the contract showing where we agreed to said extension or a copy of the recorded conversation showing that we agree to a one year extension and asked for arbitration if they still disagreed with our contention of no valid contract.

The next thing I know they put me in collections. I notified the collection company and Direct TV with certified letters (return receipt) that they had not provided any proof of said contract extension and I also contacted A T &T who could not provide me a copy of the recorded conversation. They now have send me a letter saying I still owe and have no responded back to any of my request for proof. They are arrogant and act as if they can do what they want with proof and any commitment.

They have damaged my credit by reporting this to a credit reporting age3ncy and caused me mental grief and anguish over there total disregard of my rights as per the back of their billing statement which says I have the right to appear before arbitration on this matter. They have totally disregarded this even though I requested arbitration.

AMANDA of PHOENIX, AZ February 19, 2010

Called to cancel DirectTV (no longer under contract either). Told them we are changing to DISH NETWORK in 4 days. Account was paid in full two weeks prior. DISH NETWORK install date happened to be same as the end of the DirectTV monthly billing cycle so we were "even Steven." They asked WHY we were changing to DISH. I said it was because the Guide no longer goes out 30 days like it did years ago, but only goes out 4-5 days into the future and Autotune will not work beyond the 4-5 days either.

We discussed the issues and they admitted the Guide/Autotune are for shorter periods than in the past. I spoke to the CEO's assistant in Denver about the autotune/guide issue as well and ended THAT call also by saying we are changing to DISH NETWORK. The CEO's own Assistant had my account up on her screen and never informed me that my account hadn't in fact been closed based upon my initial call to disconnect. I reiterated we are closing our account and changing to DISH NETWORK and the phone call ended.

However, I still got a bill in the mail for the next month from DirectTV. I almost tossed it, but thought I better call DirectTV to be sure they understood we closed our account. Sure enough, they hadn't closed our account from the first call and so are charging us the pro-rated fees for the days between our initial disconnetion call and today's call, saying they will automatically take it off the credit card used to pay the account.

Also, every time I called I was given a hard time by the CSR, asked for a Supervisor but was only transferred to another (lateral) CSR who spoke even LESS English than the first, and every time I was disconnected while finally being transferred to a Supervisor on the second attempt. Each time I had to call again and start all over until finally reaching a Supervisor who claimed they could do nothing. High blood pressure, palpitations. Probably at least 50 overcharge due to their lies.

carolyn of niland, CA February 18, 2010

my money comes from a federal account for disability w/o my prior knoweledge no auto pay dirrerent means of payment i complained to chase credit company they claim auto was set up doirectv misinformed chase see account record auto is not set up 60.07 was taken out with out my permission they cancelled my contract with out informeing me at all when i found out they stated we just did it ..so now i am being forcedto pay or else this is the second time i was told drop it we can what we want too and first threathing was if i say anything or try to take any action against them for any reason or even complain any more we will take legal action and do anthing we see fit to do to get our money stop or else. second time now its fraud theft deframation of chacter they have poor service they misimform misuse and abuse system forget to put on account change your account with out your permission put into record what they deem fit to be in record .so on 03-10-2010 i will be forced to pay directv 60.07 for their lie to chase.if i dare say anymore to them i fill i will be in jail

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